Practical tools for identifying thoughts and emotions

The first step in the assessment is a detailed interview to determine the reason for the consultation, personal and family history, current symptoms, and recent stressful events. This interview helps establish a baseline of the patient's emotional and behavioral state before initiating any intervention.

Application of standardized scales to measure symptoms

Instruments such as the Zung Depression Scale (SDS) or the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SQR) provide an initial measure of the intensity of depressive symptoms. These tools are quick to administer and useful for making comparisons throughout treatment.

Development of a cognitive-behavioral clinical history

The clinical history should include relevant aspects such as the development of the problem, medical history, daily habits, interpersonal relationships, social support, and use of personal resources. It can be supplemented with psychological tests that explore cognitive functioning, personality traits, and thinking styles.

Functional analysis of behavior

Functional analysis allows us to observe what factors trigger dysfunctional behaviors, how they are maintained over time, and in what context they occur. This provides a clear map of the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and actions, which is useful for designing a precise intervention.

Use of self-recording and practical tools

Daily records help capture how the patient interprets their everyday experiences. The use of instruments such as the emotional thermometer or thought records allows for refining the diagnosis and detecting repetitive patterns of distress.

Continuous and progress-adjusted assessment

Assessment does not stop after the first few sessions. It remains active throughout the therapeutic process to adapt interventions according to the patient's progress and ensure treatment focused on real, observable results.